Forget the 1992 European Cup win with Barcelona at Wembley. Forget inspiring Denmark, on the same stage nine years earlier to victory over England in a crunch Euro qualifier. Forget those five-in-a-row La Liga titles from 1990-95.

That lot was all achieved as a player and, according to Laudrup, it could never match the sensational thrill of becoming the first manager in Swansea’s 100-year existence to deliver major silverware.

The Dane, who also starred for Real Madrid, Ajax and Juventus, said: “I’ve won trophies before but always with big clubs. That’s not the same at all.

“As a manager it always means more to win trophies because you’re the one who builds up the team from the start of the season and sees the results develop. As a player, you just do what you have to.

“I know what Sunday means to this city and to this club. It will be huge to win the League Cup for Swansea. It will be my biggest result because it’s a small club winning a major trophy … for the first time!”